11 ways to commemorate MLK Day in CT
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed each year on the third Monday in January to remember the life of civil rights leader the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the legislation to create the holiday was introduced four days after Dr. King’s assassination on April 4, 1968.
Fifteen years later, thenPresident Ronald Reagan signed a bill on Nov. 2, 1983, to designate the day as a federal holiday, the museum notes, and an additional 17 years before all 50 states recognized the holiday.
Today, Martin Luther King Jr. Day has several purposes in addition to honoring the civil rights leader’s legacy, the
Constitution Center notes: it highlights civil rights and using nonviolence to keep King’s memory in mind on Monday.
Here are just a few of the in-person and virtual events happening around the state held in honor of the civil rights leader.
26th annual MLK Celebration, through Monday
Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection collaborate to host a virtual events series, culminating on Monday. It aims to show how Dr. King’s example “continues to impact artists, advocates, and thought leaders today,” according to a release. The series explores a range of topics, including environmental justice, “art as wellness”
and community involvement. From free 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom and Facebook Live there will be a family-oriented program celebrating King and his legacy, and from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. is “Community Conversation: Standing on Their Shoulders,” with representatives from the New Haven African American Historical Society and the National Council for Negro Women. Participants can register online at peabody.yale.edu/events/ mlk-celebration.
In-person celebration, Monday
The town of Wallingford will host it’s annual event to honor King in person at 10 a.m. in the Robert F. Parisi Town Council Chambers at Town Hall. Local elementary, middle and high school students will showcase essays, artwork and readings related to King. A video presentation is also planned, as well as a
performance by the New Ensemble Chorale of the Mount Zion Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hamden.
Community Day — MLK Day Celebration, Monday
The New Britain Museum of American Art will be offering free admission on Monday for families to participate in Martin Luther King Jr.-inspired art activities in person. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration is required prior to attending and can be done at nbmaa.org/ events/community-daymlk-day-celebration.
Town of Ridgefield MLK Day Celebration, Monday
The town of Ridgefield will commemorate its 26th MLK Day celebration by presenting the town’s Spirit of Dr. King Award for service to executive director of The Ridgefield Playhouse, Allison Stockel, at 2 p.m. The free celebratory event will feature a mixture of live and virtual performances from The Ridgefield Chorale and other groups. Guests can either attend the in-person celebration or stream it live on the Ridgefield Playhouse Youtube channel.
JCares MLK Day of Service, Monday
The Stamford JCC will hold a day of service in remembrance of Dr. King. Starting at 10 a.m. Monday, attendees can participate in a rally at Bethel AME Church, and then march to the Boys & Girls Club/Yerwood Center for lunch. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., the JCC will host a park cleanup service project at Scalzi Park. Guests can also participate in a service project to help those experience homelessness
in Stamford, which includes making, delivering and serving meals. The day concludes with an in-person screening of “John Lewis: Good Trouble.”
On Jan. 18, the Center is hosting a virtual author conversation with Andrew Feiler, the author of the book, “A Better Life for their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America.” Visit stamfordjcc.org for more details.
Through Our Eyes Art Show and Sale, opening Monday
The Arts Alliance of Stratford will honor the memory of Dr. King by hosting its “Through Our Eyes” Art Show and Sale, which highlights local
Black artists. The show will open in person on Monday in the gallery space of the Sterling House with a reception and run through Feb. 18. Visits artsallianceofstratford.org for more details.
Justice for All: MLK Day Summit, Monday
Middle school girls can participate for free at the Stamford Boys & Girls Club in a Dr. King presentation by Connecticut nonprofit LiveGirl Inc. on how to get involved in their community, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in person. Guests will hear from speaker Shaenna Taylor, an educator and co-founder of Bridgeport Strong, as well as create a “dream wall” with their visions for the future. Visit golivegirl.org/ms-events/2021/12/ 21/justice-for-all-mlk-daysummit
for more details.
MLK Day Camp, Monday
Westport’s Wakeman Town Farm is hosting an MLK Day in-erson camp for 6- to 11-year -lds from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kids will work with farm educators, as well as arts and culinary instructors as they learn how to work with animals, make snacks using farm-fresh ingredients, make crafts and play games. Guests must preregister for $125 to participate in the MLK Day camp.
Bell-ringing ceremony, Monday
The state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity and the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission will host an in-person children’s march and bell-ringing ceremony at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 59 Main St., Cheshire, on Monday at 1 p.m. Hot coffee and hot chocolate will be offered, organizers said in a release.
Virtual birthday celebration, Monday
The Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Committee of Greater Middletown will be presenting the the 29th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration at noon for a virtual service in honor of Dr. King. The keynote speaker will be state Rep. Brandon L. McGee Jr.,who is currently serving his fourth term representing Windsor and Hartford. To join the virtual service, visit https://tinyurl.com/ middletownMLKbday.